For the majority of the first half, the battle for first place in the Classic 8 between Arrowhead and Mukwonago was on track to be a one-sided affair.

But eventually, the two top-10 teams settled in for a thriller.

Fifth-ranked Arrowhead got off to a 20-4 start and withstood third-ranked Mukwonago pushing back to take the lead in the second half en route to a 49-47 win Jan. 5 that gave Arrowhead sole possession of first place.

Caitlyn Harper scored 21 points with 18 rebounds and blocked a go-ahead 3-point attempt in the final seconds to help the Warhawks improve to 10-1 overall and 7-0 in the Classic 8.

"We've been looking forward to this game for a long time," Harper said. "We respect them a lot. We know each other a lot. To be able to pull it off in the end really means a lot for us.

Grace Beyer scored four straight points before Angie Cera was fouled going to the hoop after a lengthy scrum for a loose ball ended up with the Indians. Cera buried both free throws with 10.1 seconds to make it 49-47.

Mukwonago (10-2, 6-1) then forced another turnover when Arrowhead threw the ball away in its backcourt with 5.8 seconds to play.

Cera appeared open in the corner for a look at a go-ahead 3-point attempt, but Harper quickly recovered and blocked the shot out of bounds with 2.1 seconds left.

"At that point, we knew we couldn't give up any threes because that would win the game for them," Harper said. "I saw one of our girls go up and (Cera) was wide open in the corner. I just rotated out and did whatever I could to make sure they wouldn't get a shot off."

The inbounds pass went to Natalie Andersen, who missed on a long 3-point try at the buzzer.

QUICK START: Megan Peterson connected on a pair of early 3-pointers, as Arrowhead began the game on an 8-0 run.

The Warhawks stretched their lead to 20-4 on a basket by Harper with 2:44 left in the first half.

It felt as if Arrowhead could have put the game away right then and there, but Mukwonago scored the final seven points of the half to only trail 20-11 at the break despite shooting 4-for-28 from the field.

"It was a rough start for us," Mukwonago coach Rick Kolinske said. "In my years of coaching, I don't know if I've seen one as rough as that. I felt like we were getting good looks. Sometimes, the ball just doesn't go in.

"When we play as poorly as we did, to be within single digits at halftime, it shows how talented this team is."

BATTLING BACK: Mukwonago carried its run over into the second half, as an 18-2 run that spanned both halves tied the game at 22-22 with 12:13 remaining.

After taking its 20-4 lead, Arrowhead went scoreless for 6 minutes, 40 seconds and was held without a field goal for 7:56 until a 3-point play by Harper put the Warhawks back in front at 25-22.

"To their credit, they are so difficult to beat," Arrowhead coach Rick Witte said. "They never go away. They are so dangerous at all five positions. You could see other teams going away, but they did not.

"What I loved about this game is, they got up on us at one point, and we didn't go away. That's a tough team when they get up on you. We found a way to stay on top."

Mukwonago took its first lead at 38-36 on a 3-pointer by Cera with 4:31 left, but Peterson answered with a 3-pointer, and Karissa Hucke corralled a steal and finished on the other end to start a 13-3 run.

HARPER SHINES: Mukwonago couldn't keep Harper off the glass, and 9 of her 21 points came off her nine offensive rebounds.

"I know that my teammates are going to shoot," Harper said. "I really focus on getting position so I can rebound for them."

Harper scored 15 points in the second half and hit 9 of her 10 free-throw attempts.

"We need to find her more," Witte said. "We need to run our stuff through her. We need to be inside out."

Despite battling an illness, Hucke finished with 14 points and six rebounds.

REMATCH LOOMING: While Arrowhead has the upper hand with one game left in the first half of the Classic 8 season, the conference race is far from decided.

Any other league foe downing the Warhawks or Indians would register as a significant upset, which could leave the conference title to be decided at the Feb. 13 rematch between the two rivals.

"We said all the goals we have as a team are still in front of us," Kolinske said. "We just have to learn from it and move on."

Arrowhead has now won 10 straight games since dropping its season opener, 66-49, to fourth-ranked Oak Creek on Nov. 17.

Arrowhead senior Marvin Marriott celebrates at the finish line with his brother Max close behind during the boys Special Olympics 100 meter dash at the Myrhum Invitational track & field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Arrowhead girls celebrate their 4th consecutive State Championship with a 7-5 victory over Whitefish Bay/Nicolet/Shorewood (WNS) in the 2017 Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation State Championship game at Carroll University on Friday, June 9, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Mukwonago senior Bailey Kroll competes in the pole vault at the Myrhum Invitational track and field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Kroll placed second with a vault of 14 feet. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Pewaukee third baseman Trent Borgardt (33) guns down a runner headed to first during the Land O' Lakes baseball game at Hartland on Sunday, July 23, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Spectators watch as Arrowhead junior Henry Chapman races flat out on the final stretch to secure a second place finish in the Classic 8 Conference Championship cross country meet at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

Members of the Brookfield Police post the colors during the national anthem prior to the football game between Brookfield East and visiting Brookfield Central on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

Brookfield Central quarterback Drew Leszczynski (2) throws a touchdown pass on a fake field goal play to end the first half at Brookfield East on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

New Berlin West junior Daily Albino competes in the pole vault at the Woodland Conference Championships track and field meet in Pewaukee on Tuesday, May 16. Albino won the conference title and then went on to qualify for state with a sectional title. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Lake Country Lutheran junior Jennifer O'Keefe (8) elevates for a kill during a match against Howards Grove in the Mizuno Charger Rally at the Milwaukee Sting Center on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Scott Ash / Now News Group

Wauwatosa West senior Paris Howell competes in the long jump at the Woodland Conference Championships track & field meet in Pewaukee on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Howell finished third with a jump of 21-04.25. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Girls varsity runners burst off the starting line for the Classic 8 Conference Championship cross country meet at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group

Oconomowoc senior Hayden Matheny competes in the pole vault at the Myrhum Invitational track and field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Matheny set a school record in regional competition May 23. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Shorewood's Abbey Drake (24) and Whitefish Bay's Taylor Kerwin (00) collide as they battle for control of the ball during their game at Shorewood High School Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in Shorewood, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South's Armoni Brown competes in the Long Jump Event of the West Allis Nathan Hale Mondo Invitational Track and Field Meet held at West Allis Nathan Hale High School Saturday, April 15, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

New Berlin West's Aubrey Tarmann (8) and Greendale's Desa Vorkapich collide as they battle for control of the ball during the varsity teams game at Greendale High School Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in Greendale, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West's Jayden Wollenberg warms-up in the Pole Vault Event before the start of the West Allis Nathan Hale Mondo Invitational Track and Field Meet held at West Allis Nathan Hale High School Saturday, April 15, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay's Michael Kirkendoll reacts as he comes up short afte his heat was stopped due to a timing problem in the 55 Meter Hurdles Event of the Wangerin Track and Field Invitational held in Whitefish Bay High School Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Cedarburg's Clayton Van Tassel (24) encounters some stiff defense from La Crosse Central's Jordan Davis during the WIAA Division 2 state championship game on March 18 at the Kohl Center in Madison. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Cedarburg's Jared Short reacts on the court following the teams Division 2 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship Game against La Crosse Central in the UW Kohl Center Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Arrowhead's Ben Seefeld reacts on the bench duing the closing seconds of the teams Division 1 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship Game against Stevens Point in the UW Kohl Center Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central Head Coach Dan Wandrey shouts to his playes during the teams Division 1 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Semi-Final Game against Arrowhead in the UW Kohl Center Friday, March 17, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central's Jack Brady reacts after taking his turn cutting down the net following the teams WIAA Sectional Final game against Milwaukee Vincent in West Allis Central High School Saturday, March 11, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Central won the game and will play in the WIAA State Tournament at 8:15 PM Friday in the UW Madison Kohl Center. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

The Oak Creek bench reacts as they score over Brookfield Central during the teams WIAA sectional semifinal game in Milwaukee South High School Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Mallory Liebl shouts to her players during the second half of the teams WIAA Sectional Final Game against Oak Creek in Milwaukee South High School Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Arrowhead players Ben Beversdorf and Caleb Beversdorf skate back to the bench following their overtime loss to the Waukesha wings in the WIAA State quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison Thursday, March 2, 2017. Waukesha won the game 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Ben Sorge. Todd Ponath/Now Media Group

Waukesha forward Chad Larson (left) celebrates his goal with Wyatt Wilderman during the WIAA State quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Waukesha won the game, 2-1, in overtime on a goal by Ben Sorge. Todd Ponath/Now Media Group

Greendale Cheerleaders react as Waukesha North's Kiara Ramirez goes out of bounds during their WIAA Regional Game in Greendale High School Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Greendale, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial Swim Coach Blaine Carlson and members of his team jump into the pool following the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial's Caleb Blischke reacts in the pool after the 400 freestyle relay event of the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Muskego's Jack Rohlinger gathers his thoughts before the start of the 50 Freestyle Event of the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Wauwatosa's Danny Larson blows a kiss to an unseen spectator following the 200 freestyle at the WIAA Division 1 boys state swim meet in the University of Wisconsin Natatorium on Feb. 18. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West/Mukwonago's Nick Gerum competes in the 200 IM Event of the W.I.A.A. Boys Sectional Swim Meet held in Waukesha South High School Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West/Mukwonago's Nick Gerum competes in the 200 IM Event of the W.I.A.A. Boys Sectional Swim Meet held in Waukesha South High School Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay's Gunnar Stock attempts to keep the ball in-bounds during his game against Nicolet in Whitefish Bay High School Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitnall's Helen Smasal (left) and Greenfield's Ratka Karac battle for possession of the ball in the Falcons' 68-57 triumph on Jan. 6. Karac led the Hustlin' Hawks with 23 points. Michael T. McLoone for Now Media

Wauwatosa East's Ke'Andre Griffin attempts to keep the ball in-bounds during his teams game against Racine Park in Wauwatosa East High School Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

The Muskego Varsity Cheerleading squad watch a teammate compete as an individual before the A Table judges during the Greenfield Extreme Cheerleading Competition hosted by Greenfield High School Cheerleaders on Jan. 28. C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

Coach Bob Maronde hands a WIAA Division 2 Sectional plaque to the Cudhay Girls basketball team follwing its 43-34 win over Wauwatosa East at Brown Deer High School on March 4. C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

Sydney Halstead and the Wauwatosa East Girls Soccer team stream out to greet Emma Martin who made the winning penalty kick to defeat Pewaukee in double overtime and 10 penalty kicks in a WIAA Division 2 sectional win on June 10 and advancement to State competition on Friday, June 16. C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

The start of the second heat of the 200-meter freestyle relay during the Whitnall Falcon FunFest Invitational on Aug. 19 at the Village Club in Greendale, the season's only outdoor swim meet. C.T. Kruger/Now News Group

Waukesha West's Aric Booth heads the ball away from Oregon's Collin Bjerke during WIAA Division 2 State semifinal play on Nov. 2. at Uihlein Soccer Park. Waukesha West played to a 2-2 tie in regulation play against Oregon, tied 1-1 in two overtime periods, and lost 4-3 in penalty kicks. C.T. Kruger/Now News Group

Jacob Blanco of Whitnall/Greendale struggles to get out of the hold of Mukwonagos Tyris Sinlapakone in the 132lbs class during the WIAA Wrestling Regional Meet at Nathan Hale high school. 11 Feb 2017 Kenny Yoo for Now Media Group

Wauwatosa East sophomore Sydney Halstead (10) tries to contain Whitefish Bay's Taylor Kerwin (00) during the WIAA Division 2 girls state soccer championship at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Kerwin scored three goals in the game, giving her the first hat trick in Division 2 state championship history. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay seniors Daria Ghorbanpoor (left) and Taylor Kerwin (00) celebrate scoring the first goal during the WIAA division 2 girls state soccer semifinal against Oregon at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Friday, June 16, 2017. Ghorbanpoor scored in the 43rd minute after the initial shot by Kerwin was blocked. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay players storm the field after winning the WIAA Division 2 girls state soccer championship 5-1 over Wauwatosa East at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Pewaukee pitcher Patrick Tomfohrde (14) looks skyward after defeating Greendale 11-0 at home on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The gesture was to his late father, Scott, who passed away on May 20 from a major stroke. The win secured a share of the Woodland West conference championship for Pewaukee. Scott Ash/Now Media Group